What makes Morden Hall Park so delightful?

Is it the scale? As the crow flies, it takes only 30 minutes to walk the length of the park, so it’s very much human scaled: big enough to explore, not so big that you’d get truly lost. A good network of walking and cycling paths will take you all over the park.

Is it the variety of landscape and scenery? I’ve visited several times, and every time I go back, I discover something new! There’s a large rose garden, open parkland, wetlands, and peaceful mini forests. It’s by the river Wandle, and as you follow the riverside path, you might catch a glimpse of a statue of Neptune or Venus. There’s also the cutest derelict Victorian stone bridge over the river.

The river Wandle in Morden Hall Park

Ah yes, the river. Here at Morden Hall Park, it splits into several channels and meanders this way and that, turning parts of the park into tiny islands. It’s on one of those islands that giant rhubarb grows in the summer.

There are plenty of little bridges to cross over the various channels, though. Several of them are original Victorian wrought-iron work and – needless to say – they are very pretty.

Where is Morden Hall Park?

Morden Hall Park is a National Trust managed park in south-west London, between Wimbledon and Croydon.

Did I mention Morden Hall Park is only around 40 minutes from central London at the end of the Northern line, or 4 stops away from Wimbledon on the tram?

Things to do and see in Morden Hall Park

Explore the park history through its heritage buildings

The snuff mills

In the 19^th Century, the river Wandle powered a good number of mills. Thirteen mills were recorded in the Domesday book in the 11^th century. In the 18^th and 19^th century, the number of mills rose to between 50 and 90, depending on who you read.

On Morden Hall estate, the first mill was built in 1750, the second one in 1830. They were used to grind dry tobacco leaves into snuff, a very fine powder that was inhaled though the nose. Instant nicotine hit (the sneezing was just one of those things you had to put up with).

Snuff started to become popular in the 16^th Century and by the 17^th century had spread through Europe, America and beyond. (Well, except Russia, where sale of tobacco was prohibited, and snuff users were threatened with having their nose cut off. Ouch.)

By the 18^th Century, snuff had become very fashionable in upper society, the tobacco trade was roaring, and tobacco merchants were making a killing. As it were.

One such merchant was Alexander Hatfeild, a partner in a tobacco firm based in The City. He started leasing the mills from the owners of the estate, the Garth family, in 1834. In 1867, his son Gilliat purchased them, together with the rest of the estate a few years later, and set out to turn the estate into a park.

At his death in 1906, Gilliat’s son – also called Gilliat – inherited the mills and the estate. Unfortunately for Gilliat Junior, by then snuff was on its way out (cigars were the new thing) and steam power was replacing water as a source of energy. So after years of declining profits, the mills in Morden Hall Park closed in 1922 and the mill workers were given jobs on the estate.

Today, one of the mill buildings houses a permanent exhibition. The other one houses an Archimedes Screw Hydroelectric turbine – a modern version of a waterwheel – that generates electricity for the park. Outside, one of the waterwheels is still in place, although it’s not operational any more.

Morden Cottage

Then there’s pretty Morden Cottage, which looks exactly like you’d expect a cottage to look, with its weatherboard cladding and white wooden shutters. Chocolate box pretty, in a good way. It was built at around the same time as the first mill, around 1750, and was the last home of Gilliat Hatfeild Junior, who moved his residence here from Morden Hall.

Morden Hall

And we come at least to Morden Hall, which gives the park its name, and sits in its own private garden within the park. Morden Hall was built in the 1770s for the Garth family, wealthy land-owners who bought the estate in the 16^th century. Formerly, the land had been in the hands of Westminster Abbey.

After Gilliat Hatfeild père bought the estate, Morden Hall was used as their home by the Hatfeild family until the early 20^th century. After Gilliat Jr. move into Morden Cottage, it would never be used as a private residence again. During the First World War, it was used as an auxiliary military hospital. After the war, it became another hospital, one run by the Salvation Army for women and children (and financed by Mr Hatfeild).

Upon his death in 1941, Gilliat Hatfeild gifted the estate to the National Trust, on the condition that access to the park should be free for the local community.

Enjoy the beautiful Rose Garden

Right in front of Morden Cottage, you’ll see the Rose Garden. This was designed and created from scratch by Gilliat Jr. in 1921. It’s said it was his favourite spot in the estate, and he was often seen taking care of the roses.

Today, it’s one of the most popular parts of the park, especially from late spring to late summer, when it’s at its most lush and fragrant.

It’s a large space, arranged in an informal way, with a small stream running through it and a pretty wooden bridge to cross the stream. The original rose varieties have been lost, but they have been replaced by 45 different varieties chosen to harmonize with the history of their surroundings.

Take a break in the Stable Yard

Stop by the handsome Stable Yard for a programme of community exhibitions and a browse in the second hand bookshop. On the weekends, you can grab refreshments at the Stable Yard Café, too. Seating is available both inside and outside, and the secluded cobbled courtyard is a lovely spot for a bit of a refuelling.

The clock is an original feature; the weather vane that tops it, in the shape of a trout, is a nod to the centuries-long history of trout fishing in the river Wandle.

Explore the wetlands

The northern end of the park is taken over by wetlands, fed by the river Wandle. Follow the boardwalk and look out for wildlife, especially birds. The wetland area is home to at least 48 species of birds, kingfishers and herons. A couple of handy viewing platforms along the boardwalk allow you to get even closer.

Explore the extensive network of trails that go all over the park

On foot or with a bicycle, there are plenty of paths you can take to explore the park. Some are well trodden, others less so. Follow where your eyes lead you, or download the excellent guide (with map) put together by the National Trust.

Follow the Wandle Trail

The Wandle Trail is a 20 km (12.5 miles) long walking and cycling route that follows the river Wandle from its sources in Croydon and Carshalton to Wandsworth, where it flows into the Thames.

Morden Hall Park is one of the points of interest on the Wandle trail. From here, you can go upstream and explore Ravensbury Park, the Watermeads Nature Reserve and Wilderness Island, amongst other green spots.

Or head downstream for Deen City farm, Merton Valley Mills, where both William Morris and Liberty had printing workshops and some of the original buildings have been preserved and repurposed. There’s also the ruins of Merton Priory Chapterhouse, nestled under the concrete canopy of the fast busy road to Worthing – a strange contrast if ever there was one!

Look out for the hay cutting horses (in season)

In February and late summer, you might get lucky and catch a glimpse of the heavy horses that cut the meadows at Morden Hall Park. They replaced machinery in 2018 and offer several benefits such as less noise and a lower carbon footprint.

Visit the Garden Centre for all your gardening needs

And how about a bit of shopping in the very first garden centre ever opened by the National Trust? It stocks plants and seeds, tools and homewares, and even games and gifts. For refreshments, there’s a second café by the Garden Centre, the Potting Shed Café – that one is open every day.

Buy some local honey

Morden Hall Park has a long history of beekeeping and today there are up to 30 hives in a park, together with an apiary warden. The hives are managed by the Wimbledon Beekeepers Association, who also runs beekeeping courses and sells the local honey – £7.50 for a 340g / 12ozs glass jar. Head to the Wimbledon Beekeepers Association website for details.

Volunteer to help out

Last but not least, you can be a volunteer. There are two volunteering opportunities at Morden hall park:

• join the Morden Hall Park Nature Group
• or help out in the Community Kitchen Garden (here’s where you can get more information.)

Morden Hall Park: frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is Morden Hall Park free?

Yes!

How big is Morden Hall Park

125 acres, or half a square kilometre (doesn’t sound half as impressive, does it!?), or approximately 95 football fields, or about one third of the size of Hyde Park.

Can you visit Morden Hall?

Alas, no. There’s a virtual tour though. And you can get married there.

Can you visit Morden Cottage?

Alas, no (again). It is currently a primary school.

Can you cycle in Morden Hall Park?

Yes, though not everywhere. The nearest Santander bike station is miles away though (in Wandsworth), so best to bring your own bike.

Is Morden Hall Park dog friendly?

Yes. There’s even a dedicated dog section in the Garden Centre. Dogs are allowed everywhere expect the Potting Shed café (unless they are assistance dogs). They must be kept on a lead in some areas, like the Snuff Mill or the Rose Garden. See the National Trust website for more info.

Can you swim in the river Wandle?

No. Well, nobody’s checking, and on hot days, people do swim (and paddle) in the river, but on their website, the National Trust issues a passionate plea not to. This is for safety reasons as well as to protect the river wildlife.

If that’s not enough to convince you, you might want to consider that as recently as 2021, there were reports of sewage leaking into the river Wandle.

Can you fish in the river Wandle?

Yes, but you need to be a member of the Morden Hall Park Angling Club. Also, you must stick to the legal fishing seasons.

Eating the fish you might catch is not recommended, though. The industrial past of the river is not so far off: it was an open sewer by the 1960s (not so long ago!) and contaminants may still be present in the riverbanks. Also, see above the note about sewage. So the recommendation is to return the fish to the water.

Are there toilets in Morden Hall Park?

Yes.

Looking to explore more of London’s delightful green spaces? Why not pay a visit to Bonnington Square in Vauxhall, and visit Bonnington Square Pleasure Garden and Harleyford Road Community Garden? There’s also the lovely Ruskin Park in Camberwell. And the gardens of Inner and Middle Temple are a true oasis in the centre of London. And Hyde Park in the autumn is especially lovely.